Nina Badzin, Founder of Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship
Names: Nina Badzin
Founder: Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship
What's your elevator pitch?
Nina Badzin hosts Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship, a top 1% charted podcast about making and keeping friends as an adult.
What's your story? Share how you got to where you are and WHY it is you do what you do.
I was a freelance writer covering a variety of topics, including friendship, when I was hired to write a friendship advice column in 2014. It's a topic I've always been passionate about. Friendship is essential to our mental and even physical health, but adults struggle to make and keep friends. I knew as a columnist that I could help, and in 2021 after seven years of answering anonymous questions, I took what I learned and turned into a podcast. Four years later my friendship advice has been mentioned in The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Time Magazine, Guardian, The Chicago Tribune, and elsewhere (NPR soon!). I have a deep satisfaction in creating a community in my Facebook group, through the podcast, and through my newsletter where people can feel seen, heard, and helped in their friendship struggles.
What does BEING a FoundHer mean to you?
I work for myself and have learned a tremendous amount of tech—starting with my website way back in 2010—to the major podcast production and editing I do now. I love that I can scale what I do, and I'm always trying to grow while making it possible to also have a life outside of my laptop. I'm a wife, a mom with four kids, and someone who is dedicated to my community. And that is all serious business too!
How do you support other female founders and women in business?
I have helped women start blogs, podcasts, and learn to use social media—all through the relationships I've made along the way, not for pay (though I'm starting to help women with their podcasts for pay soon). I'm a big cheerleader for other women. I'm often the first to like a post, comment, or show up in real life to events.
What are three podcasts you listen to that have helped you with your business?
Dear FoundHer (for real!)
#amwriting
Happier with GretchenRubin
Grow the Show
Who is a female entrepreneur you look up to and why?
My friend, Debra Arbit, has started and sold several businesses. Nothing intimidates her and she now has a business consulting for female-owned companies. For fun she runs an instagram account called @fortheloveofcookbooks where she cooks her way through entire cookbooks and does not skip any recipes. She's a force!
What are the first five things that you did when you were starting your business?
I learned to submit my work to websites and magazines.
I learned to say yes to assignments that were out of my league.
I taught myself how to use WordPress.
I got comfortable on social media (way back in the Twitter days of 2010)
I pushed myself out of imposter syndrome.
Who is someone who has helped change or shape your business for the better and what did they do to help you?
Pam Moore, who is a freelance writer, intuitive eating counselor, and wears several other hats, was three months ahead of me as a podcaster and also my friend. She insisted I could learn to edit the podcast myself, and giving me that confidence changed my entire operation (and saved me tons of money).
At what point did you make your company a full time gig? How did you know the time was right?
When you're a writer, and now a podcaster too, there is never a time you're not thinking about your work. I'm always writing, editing, planning, recording, answering pitches, making graphics, working on social media posts, crafting my newsletter. There's no start and stop. I have to force myself to walk away from my computer regularly.
What lesson or skill did you take with you from a prior job to help you succeed in your role today?
I was an English teacher and I still teach adult writing classes for adults at an amazing space in Minneapolis called ModernWell. I have never stopped being a teacher. I believe that's what I'm doing in my podcast as well—except the topic is friendship instead of The Great Gatsby. I do read A TON of books for the podcast and many of my guests are authors. It's all connected as far as I'm concerned.
Let’s talk social media—who handles it for your company (you, an internal team member, an outsourced solution?) and what is the secret to making it successful? What is the biggest challenge?
I do it, and I think it works because it's my voice. I'm not afraid to be silly. The aesthetic could be better. I'm not a very visual person and the first thing I'd love to outsource is cover photos and graphics in general for all of my work. I've tried to outsource, but it's never felt quite right (for the price).
How did you land your first client?
One of my earlier guests was Gretchen Rubin. I'm a longtime fan, and I wrote her a pitch and she graciously said yes. I've had lots of excellent guests since then, but she was one of the first bigger names. I will never forget her giving my little (at the time) podcast a chance.
What is something you do differently from the industry standard?
I will rarely post an episode longer than 35 minutes. Most are closer to 25. I think most podcasts are too indulgent and not well-edited, even when they have professional editors.
What would you do differently if you were starting your business today?
I should have monetized the podcast much sooner.
What are three strategies you use to market your business, grow brand awareness and generate bottom line growth?
Social media
Substack
Being a guest on other podcasts
What was an obstacle you overcame to get your business where it is today? Please share the story behind it.
I wanted a podcast about friendship much earlier in my writing career, but I thought I couldn't have one without publishing a book first. I started several books, but nothing quite excited me. In 2021 I finally told myself I didn't need anyone's permission to start the podcast. The tech learning curve was massive and a good enough reason to not even bother. But I pushed through it, and I'm very proud of that!
What are three actionable tips you would give with other women who want to start a business or are just getting started?
Assuming in this case it's start a podcast:
It's not going to be perfect. Just start with good enough. Everything will change eventually. I've changed my logo, my format, and so much of how I produce the show. Just start!
Take the time to learn certain aspects of the production yourself so you are not always dependent on paying others to do the tech pieces for you. I think some women are convinced they can't handle the tech elements themselves. You can! You can learn anything on YouTube. If I can do it, you can do it.
But also don't be afraid to invest in some help!
Do you want to share your story and advice with the Dear FoundHer… community? CLICK HERE to submit your information.
Follow us on Instagram @dearfoundher and join our Facebook community for more conversation.
Make sure you tune in to Dear FoundHer… for new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.
